Aphid Density and Animal Damage to Pinus patula Schiede and Deppe in a Clone Bank at Melsetter Forest Research Station

Abstract

A study to determine aphid density and animal damage was carried out when yellow mottling of P. patula needles was observed. The study indicated that there was no significant difference in the density of aphids between the upper and lower crown levels. However tree to tree variation was very high. Approximately 39 percent of the P. patula trees in the clone bank were damaged by eland (Taurotragus oryx). More than 90 percent of the aphids were identified as Eulachnus rileyi (Williams) and the remaining 10 percent comprised Pineus pini (L.).